System Analysis Principal Engineer

System Analysis Principal Engineer

System Analysis Office, System Support Division, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

The System Analysis Office provides support to all Earth Observation missions in all mission phases, from early studies to disposal. It performs studies to improve performance in the domains of mission analysis and mission planning, covering in particular:

• geometry calculations;
• orbit and attitude definition;
• orbit and attitude control strategy;
• mission data downlink strategy;
• fuel budget;
• formation flying.

The scope of these studies covers the mission implementation phases before launch to support improvements to the mission design. It also covers the commissioning and routine operations phases after launch in order to support corrections of anomalies or mission definition changes.

You will be responsible for defining, in coordination with the mission managers, planning and driving the execution of system analysis tasks in the following contexts:

• Performance assessment or improvement studies performed for Earth Observation missions at the request of the mission engineers and scientists;
• Performance improvement studies proposed by the System Analysis Office of general interest to the Department.

You will represent the team with respect to system analysis aspects during interactions with partners both within ESA and externally, such as Flight Dynamics and Launcher partners and the Satellite/System Prime Contractor. You will report functionally to the Head of the System Analysis Office.

Duties

Your specific tasks will include:

• Conducting, reviewing and consolidating system analysis tasks for Earth Observation missions;
• Organizing and ensuring expert support, as required, to the Future Mission managers during Phase A of the missions;
• Organizing and ensuring expert support, as required, to the Satellite managers during Phase B-C-D-E1 of the missions;
• Organizing and ensuring support to operations teams during the launch preparation, LEOP and commissioning phases;
• Organizing and ensuring expert support, as required, to the Mission managers during Phase E2-F of the missions;
• Consolidating and applying standard work methods and subsequent document structures for mission and system analysis;
• Participating in key mission reviews in order to provide expert advice to the mission teams and, if relevant, propose analysis studies.

In the execution of your duties, you will be required to:

• Interface with mission engineers and scientists to define and report on the relevant studies;
• Interface with Flight Dynamics teams in the Directorate of Operations to ensure proper coordination and sharing of system analysis tasks as necessary;
• Interface with the Post-Launch teams in the System Support Division to define and report on studies relevant to Phase E2-F;
• Support the Satellite teams in interfacing with the Launcher teams;
• Analyse satellite geometry, atmospheric and ground target geometry, satellite position and attitude data in support of the analysis tasks.

Technical Competencies

• Experience with end-to-end mission and system analysis of Earth observation, including space and ground elements
• Knowledge of mission analysis software tools
• Knowledge and experience in on-board operations, orbit and attitude control and data communications
• Knowledge and experience of Mission Planning system, S-, X- and Ka-Band ground stations usage (geometry, interference)
• Knowledge of relevant mission analysis software tools

Behavioural Competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

A master’s degree in an engineering field or a related subject is required for this post.

Additional Requirements

You should, in addition, have:

• The ability to specify ad-hoc software tools to support the required tasks;
• The ability to provide clear, synthetic reports;
• Experience in negotiating specific study requirements and expected outputs with partners;
• Strong coordination skills;
• The ability to develop and apply pragmatic solutions in a highly complex environment at system and team level.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer: In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.